TORONTO — North American stock markets continued to look for direction amid a decision by the European Central Bank to hold interest rates until it knows the full impact of Britain’s vote to leave the European Union.

The S&P/TSX composite index was up by 32.26 points at 14,565.83, boosted by positive earnings reports from Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX:RCI.B) and Encana Corp. (TSX:ECA).

Most of the Toronto subindexes were also higher, with the biggest gains seen from the gold, materials and metals sectors.

In contrast, the Dow Jones industrial average lost 77.80 points at 18,517.23, the broader S&P 500 composite index dipped 7.85 points to 2,165.17 and the Nasdaq composite gave up 16.03 points at 5,073.90.

The Canadian dollar fell 0.18 of a U.S. cent to 76.42 cents US, as oil prices, which often guide the loonie’s value, were also lower.

The September crude contract dropped $1 at US$44.75 per barrel.

August gold rose $11.70 to US$1,331 an ounce, August natural gas was up three cents at US$2.69 per mmBTU and September copper contracts were unchanged at US$2.26 a pound.